Any HVAC guys? I could use some help.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Any HVAC guys? I could use some help.

Posted: 6/22/2016 7:23:08 PM EDT

I have a HVAC A type evap coil that is dripping water down the middle down onto the air filter. I cleaned the coil really good this weekend and for two days the water ran down the coil like it is supposed to and I had no drips. Today its dripping slightly again.

BTW It's not coming from the pan, I can remove the wall vent in my bonus room and remove the filter and watch the drip coming form the actual coil. Also, most all of the water is draining down the drain pan normally. I really believe its an issue with the coil getting dirty since it drained properly for two days but I don't know how or why it's reoccurring so fast. This is a 4 year old house and the unit is in the attic.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Posted: 6/22/2016 7:23:51 PM EDT

[#1]

Pan is cracked.

Posted: 6/22/2016 7:27:09 PM EDT

[#2]

Quote History

Quoted:
Pan is cracked.

View Quote

Water is leaking from the coil which is above the pan, the water that goes down the coil goes into the pan and down the pipe like it should. I can actually fill the pan up with a gallon of water and it all goes down the pipe outside.

Posted: 6/22/2016 7:28:09 PM EDT

[#3]

If there's some lint or debris that is on the incoming side of the evap coil it's possible that it could get saturated and hold water, causing a drip. If you can access it easily you can use a soft wire brush to clean the fins, or there are actual fin combs for just this purpose. Be careful not to bend any fins.

Posted: 6/22/2016 7:30:44 PM EDT

[#4]

Quote History

Quoted:
If there's some lint or debris that is on the incoming side of the evap coil it's possible that it could get saturated and hold water, causing a drip. If you can access it easily you can use a soft wire brush to clean the fins, or there are actual fin combs for just this purpose. Be careful not to bend any fins.

View Quote

I actually used a soft bristle tooth brush on the air incoming side along with the cleaner this weekend and thought I had it fixed because for two hot and humid days it didn't drip. I'm really stumped.

ETA access is easy because there is a huge grill with 4 screws in the bonus room and once I remove that and then the filer in the attic I can get to it entirely. I have also placed a huge aluminum pan to catch the drips but that's just a bandaid fix and will only promote mold/mildew which we will breathing in.

Posted: 6/22/2016 7:32:36 PM EDT

[#5]

Alphas don't say "bonus room".... It's all ours for the taking... There is no such thing as a bonus.

Posted: 6/22/2016 7:33:43 PM EDT

[#6]

Quote History

Quoted:
Alphas don't say "bonus room".... It's all ours for the taking... There is no such thing as a bonus.

View Quote

OK Home office

Posted: 6/22/2016 7:47:47 PM EDT

[#7]

Still dirty, not enough airflow to draw the condensate into the fins. I've had to remove coil and really deep clean them.

Posted: 6/22/2016 7:49:07 PM EDT

[#8]

Quote History

Quoted:
Still dirty, not enough airflow to draw the condensate into the fins. I've had to remove coil and really deep clean them.

View Quote

OK thanks, do you suggest try another cleaning with the Walmart foam and toothbrush?

BTW I have a maine coon cat that has really fine fur and it seems that it somehow made it through the filter because I had some on the brush when cleaning.

Posted: 6/22/2016 8:21:06 PM EDT

[#9]

I use pro strength cleaners from a supply house, most of which you wouldn't want to use overhead. They are pretty caustic. I almost asked if you were a cat person.

Posted: 6/22/2016 8:27:08 PM EDT

[#10]

Quote History

Quoted:
I use pro strength cleaners from a supply house, most of which you wouldn't want to use overhead. They are pretty caustic. I almost asked if you were a cat person.

View Quote

So this is common

Posted: 6/22/2016 8:29:32 PM EDT

[#11]

If you go to a supply house, you could try aproduct called Triple D. Mix it per the instructions, soak the coil from both sides. Rinse and repeat. Triple D is not caustic and won't cause you to bleed if you get it on skin. Good luck. Like I said, I would take the gas out and cut the cool lose to get it out and really clean it thoroughly. Most residential guys will sell you a coil.

Posted: 6/22/2016 8:30:43 PM EDT

[#12]

Quote History

Quoted:
If you go to a supply house, you could try aproduct called Triple D. Mix it per the instructions, soak the coil from both sides. Rinse and repeat. Triple D is not caustic and won't cause you to bleed if you get it on skin. Good luck. Like I said, I would take the gas out and cut the cool lose to get it out and really clean it thoroughly. Most residential guys will sell you a coil.

View Quote

A new coil on a 4 year old system, doesn't sound like a good option.

Posted: 6/22/2016 8:37:22 PM EDT

[#13]

Would maybe a mix of water and Dawn be something good to try since the cleaner didn't work so well?

Posted: 6/22/2016 8:43:44 PM EDT

[#14]

If you want to try a household cleaner, Greased Lightning is better. It is slightly corrosive and will cause the aluminum to gas and the tiny bubbles push the dirt and dander off. Again you want to rinse the coil out.

Posted: 6/22/2016 8:45:37 PM EDT

[#15]

Thanks

Posted: 6/22/2016 9:01:51 PM EDT

[#16]

When you get it clean, you need to buy better filters. Go to a HVAC supply and buy Poly type filters. They're adequate for cat hair and not as restrictive as the pleated "alergy" filters. You can use pleated, but change them religiously.

Posted: 6/23/2016 6:41:29 AM EDT

[#17]

Quote History

Quoted:
When you get it clean, you need to buy better filters. Go to a HVAC supply and buy Poly type filters. They're adequate for cat hair and not as restrictive as the pleated "alergy" filters. You can use pleated, but change them religiously.

View Quote

I have one of the wash and clean filters with the metal frames, can I use a paper filter in it's place?

Posted: 6/23/2016 6:55:32 AM EDT

[#18]

Pull and clean the coil, it's impacted, the use tight fitting pleated filters. Using the wrong. Cleaner can ruin your coil

Posted: 6/23/2016 6:57:50 AM EDT

[#19]

Quote History

Quoted:
Pull and clean the coil, it's impacted, the use tight fitting pleated filters. Using the wrong. Cleaner can ruin your coil

View Quote

Yep, they sell specific products for this, use one.

And always, ALWAYS, clean toward the air flow.

If you have a two stage furnace, do not overlook that the secondary heat exchanger may also be plugged and restricting air flow.

Posted: 6/23/2016 6:59:45 AM EDT

[#20]

If you can find a johnstone supply in your area go there and see if they'll sell stuff to you, they're a wholesale house and normally sell to contractors but sometimes they sell to anyone.

Now.. They have a spray foam coil cleaner in a spray can, think it's called nu blast. It foams up and works pretty good, make sure you get the stuff marked for the evaporator coil. I'd get two cans just in case. While you're there pick up a bunch of pleated paper filters. They have a rating as to the level of filtration, MIRV 13 being the highest.

Posted: 6/23/2016 7:10:46 AM EDT

[#21]

Use a good cleaner made for cleaning coils,most of the time grease or smoke deposits cause the water to drip off the coil.

Posted: 6/23/2016 7:20:04 AM EDT

[#22]

I have seen this happen on several occasions.

1. Low charge
2 chemical on fins not allowing condensation to run down.
3. Bad air flow or dirty coil.

I've seen where only a new coil solved the problem. At one time Trane made a louver kit for some units to solve the problem.

Posted: 6/23/2016 8:39:59 AM EDT

[#23]

Thanks guys!

I'm going to clean it again and change filter. It's an odd size so my only option for now is buying another one of the cut to fit ones and putting in the metal frame.

Posted: 6/23/2016 12:36:46 PM EDT

[#24]

Purchased some pro cleaner and actually found a filter the right size at a small hvac supply shop.

The current washable filter has a metal frame that slides in a slot and feels spring loaded for tension. Any issues with using this paper filter in it's place?